Slit scanning and deteching system

Abstract

A scanning system for use in radiology incorporates two disks bearing identically patterned, radial arrays of apertures and corresponding X-ray detection materials, respectively. The disks are axially aligned and synchronously rotated on opposite sides of the radiological target. X-rays emitted adjacent to the first disk are strobed by the apertures and detected by photodiode arrays on the second disk after passing through said target. The detection array is scanned to produce the X-ray information for digital processing and imaging. The foregoing apparatus may be portable and mounted for retrofitting relative to existing X-ray installations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A movable X-ray device having a wide dynamic range, for use with existing X-Ray installations, including means for emitting an X-Ray beam fixed to and forming part of the fixed existing X-Ray installation, comprising: radiopaque apertured disk means having a plurality of at least four separate radially extending interrupted slits, each said radially extending slit extending over a predetermined radial distance, and the entire plurality of said radially extending slits encompassing each radial distance from the center of said disk to a maximum radius near the periphery of said disk;   solid state receptor means mounted on a second disk, said receptor means being aligned with the respective slits in said radiopaque disk means, said receptor means including a plurality of spaced individual receptor assemblies aligned, respectively, with said slits;   means for rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk synchronously and coaxially with said fixed X-Ray source adjacent said radiopaque disk, and a radiographic target between said two disks; and   means for mounting (1) said radiopaque disk means, (2) said solid state receptor means and said second disk, and (3) said means for synchronously rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk, all in a single movable assembly as a unit, for movement toward and away from existing X-Ray installations, which existing installations include the fixed means for emitting an X-Ray beam;   so that said movable device may be selectively employed with existing X-Ray installations.   
     
     
       2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said receptor means comprises: photodetector means; and   X-ray scintillation phosphor coating disposed in optical communication with said photodetector means.   
     
     
       3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device further comprises: variable speed means for controlling the speed of rotation of said first and second disk means.   
     
     
       4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises: X-ray image recording means; and   electrical interface means for connecting said receptor means to said recording means to transmit annularly-shaped X-ray scans from said receptor means to said recording means.   
     
     
       5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said recording means comprises: digital computer means for analyzing said X-ray scans after passage through said target and reception by said receptor means.   
     
     
       6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said electrical interface means comprises: detector controller means, coupled to said receptor means, for controlling the operation of said receptorr means,   electro-optical means, coupled to the output of said detector controller means, for transmitting the signals generated by said receptor means; and   analog-to-digital converter means, coupled to the output of said electro-optical means, for digitizing the information to be supplied to said digital computer means, whereby said annularly-shaped X-ray scans can be recorded and analyzed.   
     
     
       7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said device includes means for mounting and rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk at the edge of each said dish. 
     
     
       8. A slit scanning device for use with existing radiological systems including a stationary X-Ray emitting source forming part of the existing radiological system, comprising: first rotatable disk means, disposed between said X-ray emitting source and an X-ray target and defining a radially disposed slit aperture array including a plurality of at least six radially extending interrupted slits for producing a plurality of annularly shaped X-ray scans of said target;   second rotatable disk means, disposed coaxially with said first rotatable disk means and on the opposite side of the target from said first rotatable disk means;   a plurality of individual radially arrayed X-ray receptor means, disposed upon said second rotatable disk means in alignment with said aperture array, for detecting said X-ray scans after penetration of said target, said receptor means including a plurality of spaced individual receptor assemblies aligned, respectively, with said slits;   means for rotating said first and second disk means in synchronism, with X-rays from said source passing through the slits of said array and impinging on said individual receptor means; and   means including rollers for mounting (1) said first disk means, (2) said second disk, and said receptor means and (3) said means for rotating said first disk and said second disk, all in a single movable assembly as a unit, for movement toward and away from existing X-ray installations;   so that said movable device may be selectively employed with existing X-ray installations.   
     
     
       9. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said receptor means comprises: photodetector means; and   X-ray scintillation phosphor coating disposed in optical communication with said photodetector means.   
     
     
       10. The device as defined in claim 8, wherein said device further comprises: variable speed means for controlling the speed of rotation of said first and second disk means;   X-ray image recording means; and   electrical interface means for connecting said receptor means to said recording means, to transmit annularly-shaped X-ray scans from said receptor means to said recording means.   
     
     
       11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said recording means comprises: digital computer means for analyzing said X-ray scans after passage through said target and reception by said receptor means.   
     
     
       12. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said electrical interface means comprises: detector controller means, coupled to said receptor means, for controlling the operation of said receptor means;   electro-optical means, coupled to the output of said detector controller means, for transmitting the signals generated by said receptor means; and   analog-to-digital converter means, coupled to the output of said electro-optical means, for digitizing the information to be supplied to said digital computer means, whereby said annularly-shaped X-ray scans can be recorded and analyzed.   
     
     
       13. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein said device includes means for mounting and rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk at the edge of each said dish. 
     
     
       14. A movable X-ray device having a wide dynamic range, for use with existing X-ray installations, including means for emitting an X-ray beam, fixed to and associated with the existing X-ray installation, comprising: radiopaque apertured disk means having a plurality of at least five separate radially extending slits, said slits being interrupted and overlapping to provide at least one slit having an opening at each radial distance;   solid state receptor means mounted on a second disk, said receptor means being aligned with the respective slits in said radiopaque disk means, said receptor means including a plurality of spaced individual receptor assemblies aligned, respectively, with said slits; and   means for rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk synchronously and coaxially, with said fixed X-ray source adjacent said radiopaque disk, a radiographic target between said two disks; and   means for mounting (1) said radiopaque disk means, (2) said receptor means and said second disk, and (3) said means for rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk, all in a single movable assembly as a unit, for movement toward and away from existing X-ray installations which existing installations include the fixed means for emitting an X-Ray beam;   so that said movable device may be selectively employed with existing X-ray installations.   
     
     
       15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said receptor means comprises: photodetector means; and   X-ray scintillation phosphor coating disposed in optical communication with said photodetector means;   X-ray image recording means; and   electrical interface means for connecting said receptor means to said recording means, to transmit annularly-shaped X-ray scans from said receptor means to said recording means.   
     
     
       16. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein: said recording means comprises:   digital computer means for analyzing said X-ray scans after passage through said target and reception by said receptor means;   said electrical interface means comprises:   detector controller means, coupled to said receptor means, for controlling the operation of said receptor means;   electro-optical means, coupled to the output of said detector controller means, for transmitting the signals generated by said receptor means; and   analog-to-digital converter means, coupled to the output of said electro-optical means, for digitizing the information to be supplied to said digital computer means, whereby said annularly-shaped X-ray scans can be recorded and analyzed.   
     
     
       17. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein individual separate solid state receptor array means are mounted on said second disk in alignment with each separate slit. 
     
     
       18. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said device includes means for obtaining X-ray image information from substantially the entire cylindrical volume between said two rotating disks and extending outwardly to the extent of the outermost of said slits. 
     
     
       19. A movable X-Ray device having a wide dynamic range, for use with existing X-Ray installations, including X-ray source means for emitting X-Ray radiation fixed to and forming part of the existing installation, comprising: radiopaque apertured disk means having a plurality of at least eight separate radially extending interrupted slits, each said radially extending slits extending over a predetermined radial distance, and the entire plurality of said radially extending slits encompassing each radial distance from the center of said disk to a maximum radius near the periphery of said disk;   solid state receptor means mounted on a second disk, said receptor means being aligned with the respective slits in said radiopaque disk means, said receptor means including a plurality of spaced individual receptor assemblies aligned, respectively, with said slits;   means for rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk synchronously and coaxially, with said fixed X-Ray source means adjacent said radiopaque disk, and a radiographic target between said two disks;   said X-ray device including means for mounting said disks substantially concentrically relative to the X-Ray source means so that X-ray radiation may be directed through the entire surface of each of said disks; and   means for moving said two disks and said means for rotating them into and out of operational proximity to existing X-Ray installations, which existing installations include the fixed means for emitting an X-Ray beam.   
     
     
       20. A device as defined in claim 19, wherein said device includes means for mounting and rotating said radiopaque disk and said second disk at the edge of each said disk.